Biography

Born in Switzerland, trained as a physician. Studied natural sciences and history in Europe. Traveled to the United States in 1846 and accepted a position at Harvard University in 1848. Helped found the Museum of Comparative Zoology in 1859. Appointed Regent of Smithsonian Institution in 1863. Fanny Seward references him in her 1862-1863 diary when William T. Blodgett shares some anecdotes with her about Prof. Agassiz.